If you applying for a job in the Indian Defense services, then along with clearing the written tests, you need to qualify certain medical and physical standards. In order to join the three branches of the prestigious Indian Armed Forces: The Indian Army, The Indian Navy and The Indian Air Force, you have to undergo the medical and physical examination held by various medical boards of the Indian Armed Forces. Here’s a list of the physical & medical standards for Armed Forces – Army, Navy and Air Force. Take a look at this list of Physical & Medical standards for Armed Forces before you apply for any of their exams.

Height – Physical & Medical standards for Armed Forces

The height requirements specified by the medical standards for Armed Forces are as follows:

For male candidates, height should not be less than 157.5 cm

For female candidates, height should not be less than 152 cm

However, in case of candidates that fall under the category of Gorkhas, Nepalese, Assamese and Garhwalis (or belonging to the North East and other hilly areas), the height will be relaxed by 5 cm.

Weight – Physical & Medical standards for Armed Forces

The weight requirements specified by the medical standards for Armed Forces are as follows:

For male candidates:

Age/Height(cm)

15

16

18

20

22

24

26

28

30

32

34

36

38

40

152

43

44

45

46

47

48

48

49

49

50

50

50

51

51

155

44

45

46

47

49

50

50

51

51

52

52

52

53

53

157

45

46

47

49

50

51

51

52

53

53

53

54

54

55

160

46

47

48

50

51

52

53

53

54

54

56

56

56

57

162

47

48

50

52

53

54

54

55

55

56

56

57

57

58

165

48

50

52

53

55

56

56

57

57

58

58

58

59

59

168

51

52

53

55

57

58

58

58

59

59

60

60

61

61

170

52

53

55

57

58

59

60

60

61

61

62

62

62

63

173

54

55

57

59

60

61

62

62

62

63

64

64

65

65

175

56

57

59

61

62

62

63

64

65

64

66

67

67

67

178

58

59

61

62

63

64

65

66

67

67

68

69

69

70

180

60

61

62

64

65

66

67

68

69

70

71

71

72

72

183

62

63

65

67

67

68

70

71

72

72

73

74

75

75

185

66

67

69

70

71

72

73

74

75

76

77

77

78

188

68

70

71

72

74

75

76

77

78

79

80

81

81

190

70

72

73

74

76

78

79

80

81

82

82

83

84

193

72

74

76

77

78

80

81

82

83

84

85

86

87

195

75

77

78

79

81

82

83

85

86

87

88

89

90

For female candidates:

Age/Height(cm)

17-18

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

148

36

38.5

41

42.5

44

45

46.5

47

48.5

49

150

38.5

40.5

41.5

43.5

45

46

47

48

49

50

153

40.5

42

43.5

45.5

46.5

48

48.5

49.5

50.5

52

155

42

43

44.5

46

47.5

49

49.5

50

51.5

52.5

158

43

45

46.5

48

49.5

50.5

51.5

52

53

54.5

160

45

46

47.5

49

50.5

51.5

52.5

53

54

55.5

163

46

47.5

49

50.5

51.5

52.5

53

54

55.5

56.5

165

47.5

49

51

52

53

54

55

56

57

58

168

49

50

52

54

55.5

57

58

59

60

61

170

50

51

53

55

56

58

59

60

61

62

173

52

53

55

56

57

59

60

61

62

63

175

53.5

55

56.5

57.5

59

60.5

62

63

64

65

However, in case of candidates belonging to the North East and hilly area like Gorkhas, Nepalese, Assamese and Garhwalis, the weight standards would differ depending on their height.

Chest – Physical & Medical standards for Armed Forces

The chest requirements specified by the medical standards for Armed Forces are as follows:

All candidates are expected to have well-formed chests.

For male candidates, the minimum range of expansion on inhalation, should be 5 cm.

Note:

While recording the measurements, readings having:

Less than 0.5 cm will be recorded as 0.0 cm

0.5 cm will be recorded as 0.5 cm

More than 0.5 cm will be recorded as 1 cm.

Physical conditions – Physical & Medical standards for Armed Forces

The physical requirements specified by the medical standards for Armed Forces are as follows:

Wax in the ears is not permitted.

You should not have any skin disease i.e. Acne vulgaris, warts, fungal infection.

You should not have undergone hernia/abdominal operation in past one year.

No hydrocele, varicocele, piles.

Any disease of bones and joints of the body would lead to immediate rejection.

You should not have any past history of mental breakdown or fits.

Normal hearing ability is required.

Signs of functional or organic disease of the heart and blood vessel would lead to rejection.

Normal blood pressure is required.

Vision Standards – Physical & Medical standards for Armed Forces

You must meet the following visual standards for entering the Executive Branch:

Criteria

NDA/10+2/INA/Aviation
(Observer/
Pilot)

GSES/NCC (Spl)/
SCC (GSX)
Hydro

NAIC

Law/Logo/EDU

ATC

Uncorrected
Vision

6/6,6/9

6/12,6/12

6/60,6/60

6/60,6/60

6/9,6/9

Corrected Vision

6/6,6/6

6/6,6/6

6/6,6/12

6/6,6/12

6/6,6/6

Limits of Myopia

-.75

-1.5

-3.5

-3.5

-0.75

Limits of
Hypermetropia

+1.5

+1.5

+3.5

+3.5

+3.0

Limits of Colour
Perception

I

I

II

III

II

Binocular Vision

III

III

III

II

III

You must meet the following visual standards for entering the Technical Branch:

CRITERIA

Common Entry
10+2 (INAC)

Graduate Entry
(UNIV/ SSC)

Naval
Constructor/
Architect

Uncorrected
Vision without
glasses

6/6,6/9

6/24,6/24

6/60,6/60

Corrected Vision
with glasses

6/6,6/6

6/6,6/6

6/12,6/12

Limits of
Myopia

-.75

-3.5

-3.5

Limits of
Hypermetropia

+1.5

+3.5

+3.5

Binocular Vision

III

III

III

Limits of Colour Perception

I

II

II

Tattoos – Physical & Medical standards for Armed Forces

You not permitted to have permanent tattoos on any part of their body except on:

Inner face of forearms

Reverse side of palm or back

However, candidates belonging to tribal communities/from tribal areas, as declared by the Government of India are permitted to have permanent body tattoos on any part of the body as per existing customs and traditions of the said tribe to which a candidate belongs.

As per standards, you can appeal to the medical board for reconsideration if declared unfit after proper treatments for conditions like underweight, overweight, etc. within the stipulated period.

We hope these physical and medical standards help you understand the eligibility criteria for various defense forces. Do comment below if you have more information on this topic. Also, here are some ongoing recruitments that you can apply. Also, you can discuss your concerns and queries with fellow users and ibtsindia team here: